Contained in Hebrews 7: 14, is a wonderful truth: "For it
is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood" (see more later).

There was a great movement experienced from 1517 until 1648
AD. This movement that sought to challenge and reform the Catholic Church is known as
"The Reformation." During this time, men arose who challenged the atrocities of
the Catholic Church and demanded that these obvious scriptural violations be put away. Two
men who were leaders in the reformation were Martin Luther (Germany) and Ulrich Zwingli
(Switzerland). The Reformation necessarily involved the issue of authority. Later, many
men would come to realize that the Catholic Church was apostate Christianity and that they
needed to restore the church that Jesus built rather than attempt to reform Catholicism.
Hence, The Restoration Movement was begun. The Reformation, however, was imperative in
that it calls to the attention of thinking individuals the matter of having Bible
authority for what is believed and practiced.

Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli
had a similar plea, on the surface, regarding Bible authority. They both
realized that in order for biblical truth to prevail and all the man-made doctrines to be
removed, they had to present the need of Bible authority in a practical manner. Martin
Luther taught that any religious activity is permissible unless God has specifically
forbidden it in the Bible. On the other hand, Ulrich Zwingli contented that Christians may
not participate in any religious act unless the Bible positively authorized it. As you
would expect, Luther and Zwingli could not consistently agree on a number of biblical
issues. For instance, Luther (his approach) could justify baptism for infants, while
Zwingli condemned the practice. Using Luther's logic, infant baptism is not even mentioned
in the scriptures; hence, infant baptism is permissible. According to Zwingli's rational,
since the scriptures do not positively authorize infant baptism, it is condemned (more
later).

Back to Hebrews 7: 14.
The scriptures are replete with teaching regarding the importance of having authority for
what is believed and practiced. For instance, Jesus said many would be told to
"depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7: 21-23). W. E. Vine makes the
following observation regarding the word iniquity:

"Anomia:
literally., "lawlessness" (a, negative, nomos, "law"), is used in a
way which indicates the meaning as being lawlessness or wickedness. Its usual rendering in
the NT is "iniquity," which lit. means unrighteousness. It occurs very
frequently in the Sept., especially in the Psalms, where it is found about 70 times. It is
used (a) of iniquity in general, Matt. 7:23; 13:41; 23:28; 24:12; Rom. 6:19 (twice); 2
Cor. 6:14, RV, "iniquity" (AV, "unrighteousness"); 2 Thess. 2:3 ...
"lawlessness" and "lawlessness" (AV, "transgresseth the law"
and "trangression of the law"); ... See LAWLESSNESS, TRANSGRESSION,
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

Jesus amplified and explained
what "work iniquity" means when he taught about building on the rock versus
building on the sand. "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them (regarding building on the rock, dm) and "every one that
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not (regarding building on the sand,
dm., Matt. 7: 24-27). Notice the importance of authority: those who build on the sand
shall suffer destruction (vs. 27).

Beloved, the Bible does not present the concept of authority
as pharisaic legalism, as many today claim. The writer of the Hebrew Epistle is arguing
that Jesus could not be a high priest on earth because he was of the tribe of Judah and
not of the Levitical order (Heb. 7: 11-14, Num. 16, 17). Hence, the inspired writer is
respecting Bible authority. Involved in his inspired reasoning is also the expressed
principle that if a matter is not taught, it is unauthorized. This is seen in the phrase,
"Moses spake nothing" (Heb. 7: 14). There is no scripture authorizing a man to
serve as high priest who was of the tribe of Judah. Therefore, such a practice would have
been wrong (see addendum). In this respect, Ulrich Zwingli was correct.

An application of Hebrews 7: 14.
Learning God's word is useless if we do not apply it. In fact, we can actually be worse
off in knowing but not doing what we know (cp. Lk. 12: 41-48).

Take for instance the matter of baptism, where is the
authority for "baptizing" infants? We read how, " believers were the
more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5: 14). In order for
one to be a candidate for baptism, one must be a sinner, believe, repent, and confess
Jesus' deity (Acts 2: 38; Mk. 16: 16; Acts 2: 38; Acts 8: z36, 37, KJV). Infants,
therefore, do not qualify regarding being candidates for scriptural baptism. Where is the
authority for sprinkling or pouring for baptism? Baptism is a burial, according to the
scriptures Rom. 6: 4, Col. 2: 12). It is apparent from the examples of men and women being
baptized that they were immersed (cp. Acts 8: 35-40). The scriptures also know nothing
regarding a person being saved and then being baptized. Baptism was (is) "for the
remission of sins" (Acts 2: 38, 22: 16). Hence, the scriptures "spake
nothing" regarding these matters.

The church is a social society that seeks simply to improve
the standard of living for man. Jesus gave his life for his church (Acts 20: 28). Jesus is
married to his church, is the head, and he is the savior of the church, his body (Eph. 5:
22-33). The church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" (I Tim. 3: 15).
Salvation, all spiritual blessings, and redemption are said to be in Christ or his church
(2 Tim. 2: 10; Eph. 1: 3; vs. 7). Where, then, do we find the teaching that the church was
just an afterthought of Jesus in view of his failure to set up his kingdom (Matt. 16: 18,
19, Col. 1: 13)? Where do we read the command or observe the practice of the local church
simply being a benevolent institution, designed to fill the stomachs of the masses?
Concerned reader, the scriptures "spake nothing" regarding denominationalism and
church membership being optional (I Cor. 1: 10; Heb. 10: 25-31).

We could make many additional applications of the principle
found in Hebrews 7: 14 of "Moses spake nothing." Possessing Bible authority for
all we believe and practice is urgently important (Col. 3: 17). Jesus said that those who
go beyond his teaching "have not God" (2 Jn. 9). To the converse, those who
abide in his teaching have "both the Father and the Son" (Ibid.).

Intelligent reader, a matter
does not have to be expressly forbidden for it to be condemned. When a
specific is taught either by express command or statement, approved example, or necessary
inference, such teaching excludes and forbids any other dissimilar specific. Moreover, for
a matter to be an expedient (help execute the command), it must not be a substitute. For
instance, a songbook helps expedite the command to sing (Eph. 5: 16). However, a piano
constitutes a different kind of music (mechanical in addition to vocal, Eph. 5: 19, Col.
3: 16, the human heart is the authorized instrument of music).

In closing, how about the church of which you are a member,
does it exist by the authority of the scriptures and is its teaching authorized; or
concerning it would we have to say, "the scriptures spake nothing"? (You
may also want to read, "Authority" and "How to Study the Bible," click on to visit.)

Addendum: Not a few
recognize the Pope as their authority. Some say "the church" is the final
authority. Others point to creeds, synods and the conclaves of men as the authority. A few
today view preachers as the authority. Beloved, none of these proposed authorities are
sanctioned by the Bible as the final authority in religion (cf. Mk. 7: 5-13). God speaks
today through His Son (Heb. 1: 1,2). In the setting of Moses, Elias, and Jesus, the Father
exclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am will pleased, hear ye Him"
(Matt. 17:5). Jesus has all authority in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28: 18). All we do
must be done in Jesus name or by His authority (Col. 3: 17). Jesus possesses
legislative, judicial, and executive authority (Matt. 7: 21-28; Jn. 5: 22; Matt. 28:
18-20). Jesus teaching is, indeed, authoritative (Matt. 7: 24-29). Inspired writers
such as Paul taught Jesus will (I Cor. 14: 37). Jesus said, "... the words that
I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (Jn. 6: 63). "If any man
speak, let him speak as the oracles of God...," Peter taught (I Pet. 4: 11). The New
Testament, the last will and testament of Jesus Christ, then, is our authority in matters
religious (Heb. 8; Matt. 7: 21 ff.).